Two-billion-year transitional oxygenation of the Earth's surface.

Earth's surface underwent stepwise oxygenation before persistently reaching modern levels late in its history, but the details of this transition remain unclear. Here we present a high-resolution 2.5-Gyr record of mass-independent oxygen isotopes in sedimentary sulfate (Δ'O), a proxy linked to the atmospheric partial pressure of O ( ).

Identification of the ZmATG18 subfamily genes in maize and the role of ZmATG18a in drought stress.

Background: Autophagy represents an ancient cytoprotective program that sustains cell viability under metabolic or environmental stresses via targeted recycling of cellular components. However, the contribution of ATG18s in maize is ambiguous.

Results: This work aims to identify and characterize the maize ZmATG18 subfamily genes at the whole-genome level and a total of eight ZmATG18 subfamily genes were identified.

Restores Intestinal Barrier Integrity via the IL-22/Reg3 Pathway Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) disrupts the intestinal barrier, linking brain trauma to systemic inflammation and secondary complications. This study investigated the role of gut microbiota and its metabolites in intestinal barrier dysfunction following TBI, using a controlled cortical impact mouse model. TBI-induced gut dysbiosis was characterized by reduced microbial diversity and a loss of butyrate-producing bacteria, which led to decreased levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyric acid.

Targeting Aquaporins for Renal Fibrosis Therapy: Mechanisms and Translational Potential.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem characterized by renal fibrosis (RF). Aquaporins (AQPs) are key regulators of water transport across membranes. Key members of this family (such as AQP1, AQP2, etc.

Combined inhibition of WEE1 by AZD1775 synergistically enhances CX-5461 mediated DNA damage and induces cytotoxicity in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an extremely aggressive type of central nervous system tumors that poses treatment challenges due to its resistance to DNA-damaging therapies. G-quadruplexes (G4) are non-canonical DNA structures involved in genomic stability and transcription regulation, and they have emerged as potential therapeutic targets. Originally developed as an RNA polymerase I inhibitor, CX-5461 has been demonstrated to enhance G4 stabilization and induce DNA damage; however, its effects on GBM remain underexplored.

Single-cell transcriptomics combined with spatial transcriptomics reveals a fibrotic microenvironment in hyperuricemic nephropathy.

Background: Hyperuricemia nephropathy (HN) is a kidney disease caused by hyperuricemia, with renal fibrosis as its hallmark lesion. Renal fibrosis involves diverse cell populations and complex intercellular communication, but its cellular composition and molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods: We employed single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to analyze kidney tissues from HN rats, identifying cell populations, gene expression patterns, and intercellular interactions.

Photocontrolled Programmable Enzymatic Cascade for Robust CRISPR Diagnostics.

CRISPR-Cas12a-based diagnostic technologies have revolutionized nucleic acid detection, but their broader application remains constrained by the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) requirement and limited multiplexing capabilities due to reliance on -cleavage. Here, we present a photocontrolled programmable enzymatic cascade strategy that enables temporal regulation of three sequential reactions─nucleic acid amplification, photoactivated lambda exonuclease (λ-exon)-mediated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) generation, and PAM-independent Cas12a detection─all within a one-pot system, effectively overcoming the PAM constraint. We further exploit the orthogonal -cleavage activity of Cas12a and Cas13a to enable simultaneous dual-gene detection within the one-pot system, thereby circumventing multiplexing limitations.

Finite-Temperature Quantum Topological Order in Three Dimensions.

We identify a three-dimensional system that exhibits long-range entanglement at sufficiently small but nonzero temperature-it therefore constitutes a quantum topological order at finite temperature. The model of interest is known as the fermionic toric code, a variant of the usual 3D toric code, which admits emergent fermionic pointlike excitations. The fermionic toric code, importantly, possesses an anomalous two-form symmetry, associated with the spacelike Wilson loops of the fermionic excitations.

Double optimal transport for differential gene regulatory network inference with unpaired samples.

Motivation: Inferring differential gene regulatory networks (GRNs) between different conditions from gene expression profiles remains a significant challenge. Current GRN inference approaches are limited by either scalability in large networks or accuracy in high-dimensional scenarios. Furthermore, most existing methods require paired samples for comparative GRN analyses.

Identification of a key nucleotide influencing Cas12a crRNA activity for universal photo-controlled CRISPR diagnostics.

Developing a one-pot assay is a critical strategy for enhancing the applicability of CRISPR-based molecular diagnostics; however, it is hindered by CRISPR cleavage interfering with nucleic acid amplification templates. Photo-regulation strategies provide an ideal solution to suppress undesired CRISPR cleavage while maintaining detection efficiency. However, existing photo-controlled CRISPR diagnostic methods face limitations in universality, cost, and detection efficiency.

TGF-β inhibitors: the future for prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis?

Liver fibrosis is a core pathological process in the progression of chronic liver diseases to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, characterized by abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), through classical small mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad)-dependent and non-Smad-dependent pathways, activates hepatic stellate cells to transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts, promotes extracellular matrix synthesis, and regulates immunity, serving as a key driver of fibrogenesis. This review systematically summarizes the role of TGF-β in liver fibrosis and details the research progress of TGF-β-targeted inhibitors.

Strong and Rapid Postfire Recovery of Vegetation Productivity in Australia.

Fires disrupt ecosystems, release carbon, and reduce carbon uptake, which increases atmospheric CO concentration, warms the atmosphere, and fosters more frequent and intense fires. Quantifying postfire recovery is crucial for understanding the adaptability and resilience of ecosystems to fire disturbances. Observations from satellite-derived active fire (~1-km) and Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) products reveal that Australia experiences extensive fires annually, reducing vegetation productivity.

Cas12a Cis-cleavage mediated lateral flow assay enables multiplex and ultra-specific nucleic acid detection.

CRISPR technology holds significant promise for advancing nucleic acid assays. However, current CRISPR diagnostic techniques, reliant on indiscriminate trans-cleavage mechanisms, face challenges in developing multiplex detection formats. Moreover, chaotic trans-cleavage activity often results from mismatched targets, leading to specificity issues.

Identification of core noncoding RNA-associated competing endogenous RNA networks in renal fibrosis via whole-transcriptome sequencing.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate noncoding RNA (ncRNA) expression changes in renal fibrosis (RF) models induced by three distinct etiologies using whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing, identify overlapping differentially expressed (DE) ncRNAs, construct core competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, and explore their role in RF.

Methods: Three RF rat models, 5/6 nephrectomy, adenine, and unilateral ureteral obstruction, were established. DE RNAs were identified through sequencing and validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Identification of prostate cancer potential therapeutic targets and virtual drug screening through combined Mendelian randomization study, Bayesian colocalization and molecular docking.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) faces significant global challenges, including rising incidence and drug resistance. Our research aims to identify novel protein targets for innovative treatments, evaluate potential adverse effects, and find compounds with strong binding affinity.

Methods: We conducted a proteomic Mendelian randomization (MR) study to assess the causal relationship between plasma proteins and PCa risk.

Mechanisms and therapeutic potential of multiple forms of programmed cell death in renal fibrosis.

Programmed cell death (PCD), particularly necroptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis alongside classical apoptosis has attracted considerable attention in recent years in the context of renal fibrosis (RF). Accumulating evidence indicates that these regulated cell death pathways contribute substantially to renal tissue damage and fibrosis progression by promoting inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Renal fibrosis, a common pathological process to various chronic kidney diseases (CKD), is closely intertwined with diverse forms of cell death.

Regulating Lithium Deposition via 3D Printed Current Collectors with Dual-Scale Roughness.

With the growing demand for future electric vehicles, mobile devices, and wearable electronics, lithium metal has emerged as a promising anode material, offering high theoretical capacity and low density. However, uncontrolled lithium dendrite growth and significant volume changes during cycling remain major challenges. In this study, to mitigate such challenges, we present a three-dimensional (3D) current collector design of a triply periodic minimal surface structure, fabricated using selective laser melting 3D printing of copper and modified through mechanical polishing to achieve dual-scale roughness.

Effectiveness and safety of greenlight laser in ureteroscopic parapelvic cyst incision: a retrospective analysis.

Objective: Different surgical managements for parapelvic cysts may vary in efficacy and safety. Considering the distinct characteristics of greenlight laser, this study aimed to compare three treatments for parapelvic cysts: flexible ureteroscopic internal incision and drainage with greenlight laser, or with holmium laser, and retroperitoneal laparoscopic cyst unroofing. The focus was on evaluating and contrasting the advantages of greenlight versus holmium laser in this context.

The natural compound PEITC ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice by suppressing neutrophil extracellular traps formation.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a key role in the development of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition. We demonstrate the effects and possible mechanisms of phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) in inhibiting NETs and alleviating psoriasis. In response to imiquimod (IMQ), multiple symptoms including scaly plaques and associated skin inflammations were induced in mice.

Correction to: High expression of autophagy-related gene could promote tamoxifen resistance and predict poor prognosis in breast cancer.

[This corrects the article on p. 4788 in vol. 11, PMID: 37583983.

DNMT3A facilitates breast cancer progression via regulating ADAMTS8 mediated EGFR-MEK-ERK activation.

ADAMTS8 inactivation by epigenetic modifications has been reported in various tumors, and the dysregulation of ADAMTS8 expression is associated with poor clinical outcomes, cancer cell invasion, and metastasis. De novo methylation, involving DNMT3A, plays an important role in cancer development; however, it remains unclear whether DNMT3A regulates the progressive expression of breast cancer by regulating ADAMTS8. Through published cancer-related datasets and clinical validation, we found that ADAMTS8 and DNMT3A expression negatively correlated in breast cancer, and both associated with patient prognosis.

Renal tubular epithelial cell-derived Exosomal miR-330-3p plays a key role in fibroblast activation and renal fibrosis by regulating CREBBP.

Background: Renal tubular injury and activation of peripheral fibroblasts are hallmarks of chronic kidney disease (CKD), suggesting a close connection between the two cell types. Exosomes transport miRNAs and other substances to recipient cells. The involvement of exosome-mediated intercellular communication has been suggested in various diseases, including renal fibrosis.

Targeted drug delivery systems for atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a complex cardiovascular disease driven by multiple factors, including aging, inflammation, oxidative stress, and plaque rupture. The progression of this disease is often covert, emphasizing the need for early biomarkers and effective intervention measures. In recent years, advancements in therapeutic strategies have highlighted the potential of targeting specific processes in atherosclerosis, such as plaque localization, macrophage activity, and key enzymes.

Efficient Variants of Wasserstein Distance in Hyperbolic Space via Space-Filling Curve Projection.

Hyperbolic spaces have been considered pervasively for embedding hierarchically structured data in the recent decade. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on efficient distance metrics for comparing probability distributions in hyperbolic spaces. To bridge the gap, we propose a novel metric called the hyperbolic space-filling curve projection Wasserstein (SFW) distance.